Johnny Hickman
Encyclopedia
Johnny Hickman is an American
musician
best known as the lead guitarist in the rock band Cracker
.
Hickman is a native of Redlands
in San Bernardino County
in California's Inland Empire
. Prior to his tenure in Cracker, Hickman had stints in various California bands including The Unforgiven
and The Dangers. In the early 1990s, he co-founded Cracker with childhood friend, David Lowery
. His often imitated signature sound, influenced by punk rock, surf guitar and "Bakersfield Country" sound
, is played on a 1978 Les Paul guitar.
In addition to his role with Cracker, Hickman engages in solo work and various side projects such as the Hickman-Dalton Gang (a collaboration with Jim Dalton of Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, formerly with The Railbenders), All Thumbs Trio (with Chuck Garvey
and Gibb Droll) and Crazysloth, an Arizona-based band. He has one full film score to his credit (River Red (1998)), and several of the songs that he has co-written with David Lowery have been used in films.
In 2005, Hickman released his first solo album, Palmhenge.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
best known as the lead guitarist in the rock band Cracker
Cracker (band)
Cracker is an American alternative rock band featuring founders/songwriters singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1993 album, Kerosene Hat, featuring the hit songs "Low", "Euro-Trash Girl", and "Get Off This".Founders Lowery and Hickman...
.
Hickman is a native of Redlands
Redlands, California
Redlands is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 68,747, up from 63,591 at the 2000 census. The city is located east of downtown San Bernardino.- History :...
in San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County, California
San Bernardino County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,035,210, up from 1,709,434 as of the 2000 census...
in California's Inland Empire
Inland Empire (California)
The Inland Empire is a region in Southern California. The region sits directly east of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Inland Empire most commonly is used in reference to the U.S. Census Bureau's federally-defined Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area, which covers more than...
. Prior to his tenure in Cracker, Hickman had stints in various California bands including The Unforgiven
The Unforgiven (band)
The Unforgiven were a roots rock band that existed for four years during the 1980s. They were signed with a two-record deal to Elektra Records after a bidding war with Warner Bros. Records and several other labels. One label was willing to sign the band unseen and unheard...
and The Dangers. In the early 1990s, he co-founded Cracker with childhood friend, David Lowery
David Lowery
David Lowery is an American guitarist, vocalist and songwriter; he is the founder of alternative rock band, Camper Van Beethoven, and co-founder of the more traditional rock band, Cracker...
. His often imitated signature sound, influenced by punk rock, surf guitar and "Bakersfield Country" sound
Bakersfield sound
The Bakersfield sound was a genre of country music developed in the mid- to late 1950s in and around Bakersfield, California. The many hit singles were largely produced by Capitol Records country music head, Ken Nelson. Bakersfield country was a reaction against the slickly produced, string...
, is played on a 1978 Les Paul guitar.
In addition to his role with Cracker, Hickman engages in solo work and various side projects such as the Hickman-Dalton Gang (a collaboration with Jim Dalton of Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, formerly with The Railbenders), All Thumbs Trio (with Chuck Garvey
Chuck Garvey
Chuck Garvey is one of two guitarists for the American rock band moe.. His playing has been influenced by Frank Zappa, Mick Ronson, David Bowie, Pete Townshend, Andy Summers, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He currently lives in the Cincinnati, Ohio area....
and Gibb Droll) and Crazysloth, an Arizona-based band. He has one full film score to his credit (River Red (1998)), and several of the songs that he has co-written with David Lowery have been used in films.
In 2005, Hickman released his first solo album, Palmhenge.
Filmography
- 1994 The Cowboy Way - writer: "Blue Danube Blues"
- 1995 White Man's Burden - writer: "How Can I Live Without You"
- 1996 The Cable Guy - writer: "Get Outta My Head"
- 1998 Origin of the Species - writer: "I Hate My Generation"
- 1998 River Red - composer